Call for women to volunteer for the Study
Supplied Content
Auckland, June 5, 2018
Within New Zealand about 12-23 % of all women are diagnosed with iron deficiency.
Iron deficiency in isolation has been linked to many negative health outcomes including anaemia and cardiovascular disease.
Previous research at Massey University has suggested that Asian women are five times more likely to suffer from iron deficiency when compared to European women, but this has not been investigated in the South Asian women.
Research and nutritional surveys have also shown that a majority of South Asian women, (84%) have less vitamin D than is recommended by the nutrition guidelines.
Contributing factors
Changes in season and lifestyle factors (e.g. clothing, food choice) may be contributing to the development of these nutrient deficiencies.
We often see iron deficiency and vitamin D deficiency diagnosed together within females and if left untreated these deficiencies can develop into chronic health conditions including poor muscle strength and bone health, poor immune function, type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
But the reasons as to why these nutrient deficiencies occur together has not been investigated.
This Massey University study aims to assess the current relationship between hormones, genetics, iron and vitamin D status in South Asian women living in Auckland.
Who are we looking for?
Females aged between 18- 40 years of age; of South Asian or Middle Eastern descent; Able to speak and understand English; Not be consuming supplements with calcium, vitamin C or iron for three months; Have not donated blood for six months; Not pregnant or currently breast- feeding and; Have no known health problems that affect iron status (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, history of gastric ulcers)
What will happen?
You will be asked to (a) Answer a screening questionnaire to see if you can complete the study
(b) Sign a consent form (c) Fill in a series of questionnaires (on an iPad) about food, beliefs, physical activity and general health (d) Complete a body composition measurement using a bioelectrical impedance analysis machine (BIA) (e) Have blood pressure measured (f) Provide a blood sample, taken by a trained phlebotomist. The total amount taken will be ~10 ml, equivalent to 2 x teaspoons.
Benefits of participation
There will be no charges for the body composition or blood analysis assessments.
On the day, you will receive your personal information about body composition (BMI, and percentage of fat and muscle mass), blood pressure, height and haemoglobin levels (indicator of blood count and related to bodies iron stores).
Upon completion of the study, you will receive all information on your blood samples (iron, vitamin D status). You will also receive a brief report summarising the main findings of the project via mail or email.
All participants who complete the study at the Albany Campus in Auckland will be provided with a petrol voucher to cover their petrol costs.
All personal information will be kept secure and strictly confidential.
If you require further information about the study, please contact the lead researcher Dr Claire Badenhorst, Lecturer, School of Sport (Exercise and Nutrition), College of Health, Massey University, Auckland. Phone; (09) 4140800 (Extension) 43410:
Email: C.Badenhorst@massey.ac.nz
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(Image depicting procedure supplied)
